Paul is survived by his wife of 57 years, Carolyn Rakes Mitchell, his three children, Maria Dee Mitchell and her husband Guillaume de Syon of Lancaster, PA, Kirby Rakes Mitchell and his wife Danielle Mitchell of Greenville, SC, and Ryan Joseph Mitchell and his wife Angie Middleton of Richmond, VA, as well as his eight grandchildren, Emma, Corinne, Jeffrey, Lucie, Wesley, Mary, Maris, and Anna.
Paul grew up in Portsmouth, OH and graduated from the University of Kentucky. He and Carolyn lived in Virginia, New Jersey, and Missouri before settling in Whitinsville, Massachusetts. Paul treasured family above all else – his parents, Edwin and Norma Mitchell, his brother, Robert Joseph, his children and grandchildren, his brothers- and sisters-in-law, and his 15 nieces and nephews. He remained close to his childhood friend and best man, Frank Dinsmore, of Wheelersburg, OH.
Paul was a loving husband and father, an avid life-long reader, and a devoted sports fan, particularly of the Boston Red Sox and New England Patriots. There was a special place in his heart for family dogs Elmer, Candy, and Chelsea. Known for his wit and sharp memory, Paul spent much of his working career in the insurance industry. He considered his wife Carolyn a gift from God and the most impressive person he knew.
A funeral will take place at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 10, at Woody Funeral Home, 1020 Huguenot Road, Midlothian, VA. A reception will follow.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Open Sky Community Services (formerly known as Alternatives Unlimited) located at 50 Douglas Road, Whitinsville, MA 01588. After retirement, Paul worked for 12 years at Alternatives helping those with developmental and intellectual disabilities.
